Cutting torch



April 9, 1935.

A. J. FAUSEK Er AL CUTTING TORCH Filed sept. 25 195o.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 9, 1935- A. J. FAusl-:K Er AL 1,996,991

CUTTING TORCH Filed Sept. 25, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 rig/*Leyla 4 Patented 'Api'. 9, 1935 1,996,991

UNITEDy STATES PATENT OFFICE CUTTING TORCH Arthur J. Fausek and Irwin; F. Fallsek,

Clayton, Mo.

Appucaunn septembepzs, 1930, serial No. 484,362

s ohms. (c1. 15s-27.4)

This invention relates generally to gas-burning pose of illustration, merely, several embodiments torches and more specifically to torches of this of the invention A designates our improved torch type which are employed in performing metal generally, said torch including a tail piece B and cutting operations in connection with cutting maa head C. Extended from the tail piece is an 5 chines, the predominant object of the invention oxygen tube I and an acetylene tube 2 which lead 5 being to provide an improved torch of this type, to a' mixing chamber M, said mixing chamber provided with a tail piece which is so constructed being screwed into a cavity 3 in the head C. The and arranged that either two or three flexible head C is provided with a centrally located screwconductors may be employed to conduct gas from threaded cavity 4 into which the screwthreaded the gas receptacles to the torch. extension 5 of a tip coupling Ii is screwed, said 10 Another object of the invention is to produce head being provided with an annular inclined an improved torch of this type which is provided face 1 with which a shoulder 8 on the tip coupling with an improved valve construction for controlcooperates to provide an annular gas passageling passage of the high pressure gas through way 9. The tip coupling 6 isprovided with a the torch. central gas passageway I0 having an enlarged 15 Another object of the invention is to provide screwthreaded portion II which receives a screwa cutting torch provided with an improved mixthreaded extension on the tip (not shown) and ing chamber structure, this structure including also said coupling is provided with a plurality means for guiding and supporting certain parts of passageways I2 which lead from the annular of the mixing chamber at opposite ends of said gas passageway 9 to an annular depression I3 at 20 mixing chamber, and a unique joint between the the forward face.of the tip coupling. mixing chamber and an adjacentl part of the I4 designates a high pressure oxygen tube, the torch structure. forward end portion of which is screwed into a Still another object of the invention is to proscrewthreaded cavity I5 in the headC of the torch, 2J duce a torch structure which includes a check said cavity I5being placedincommunication with 25 valve in the lhigh pressure tube thereof to prethe central cavity 4 of the torch head by a pasvent back ring of the gas within the torch. sageway I6. At its rear end the tube I4 is con- Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through the nected by a coupling element I'I to the tail piece improved torch. of the torch, and located within the length of said Figure 2 is a cross-section on line 2-2 of Figtube I4 is a check valve I8. The check Valve I8 v30 ures 1 and 11. y includes a coupling element I9 attached to the Figure 3 is a. horizontal section on line 3 3 of f front section of the tube I4 and a similar coupling Figures l and 11. element 20 attached to the rear section of said Figure 4 is a cross-section on line 4-4tof Figtube I4. These coupling elements I9 and 20 are d ures l and l0. connected together by a sleeve 2| which is pro- 35 Figure 5 is a cross-section on line 5-5 of Figvided With a shoulder 22, and 23 designates a valve ures 1 and 10. element which engages said shoulder. The stem Figure 6 is a fragmentary detail illustrating a of the valve element 23 is extended through an modified form of the gas-controlling valve of the opening formed through an inner member 24,

torch. said inner member being provided with an an- 40 Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional detail illusnular flange 24 which is confined between'an antrating a modified form of the mixing chamber nular shoulder 25 within the sleeve 2I and the forconstruction. ward end of the coupling element 20. The inner Figure 8 is a cross-section on line 8 8 of Figmember 24 is provided with oxygen passageways ure 1. 2s formed therethrough, and the stem of the veuve 45 Figure 9 is a fragmentary view -showing the element has a coil spring 2l associated with it in manner in which the gas tubes are connected to a manner to cause said valve element to be drawn the mixing chamber rearwardly so as to seat the head portion of the Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional valve element against the shoulder 22. detail illustrating the mixer structure of the im- In the use of the torch oxygen will pass for- 50 proved torch. wardly, from the tail piece B to the head C of Figure 11 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional the torch without hindrance from the check valve detail showing the valve located in the tail piece I8, said oxygen unseating said check valve as it F of the torch. passes the head portion of the valve element 23. 5* In the drawings, wherein-is shown for the pur- However, should the direction of flow of the oxy- 55 gen be reversed the valve element will be seated by the rearwardly moving gas whereby rearward movement of the oxygen is arrested and backrearmost end with an opening 29 which is extendedat an approximate right angle to said f :s :.1 way 28. The lower portion of the opening 2 is enlarged as indicated at 88 in Figures 1 and l1, and at the upper end of this enlarged portion the torch structure is provided with a valve seat 8|. 82 designates an oxygen passageway which communicates with the space 88, said eway being screwthreaded at its outer end and having a hose coupling 83 screwed into said screwthreaded outer end. Arranged within the passageway 82 is a pair of spaced screens 84 between which a body. of sand, or other suitable granular material is located. The structure comprised of the screens and body of sand, or like material, permits e of gas forwardly therethrough duringnormal operation ot the torch. IlIowever, should the torch back-nre and flame move rearwardly through the torch, suchilamewillbe arrestedbythestructure referred to. l

Arrangedin the openings 29and88isavalve V which controls e: e of oxygen through the tube I4. 'I'he valve referred to includes a valve head 86 with which a downwardly extended stem f I6 is associated. The stem 88 is extended into an opening 81 formed in a plug 88 which seals the lower end of the opening 88, and a coil spring 99 is interposed between a shoulder on said plug and said valve head whereby said valve head is urged upwardly. The valve head 85 is provided with a cavity in which a valve seat 48 is arranged, said valve seat being formed of any yieldable material suitable for this purpose. Arranged adjacent to the top face of the valve seat 46 is a layer 4| of a fire resistant material, such as thin gageannealed metal, asbestos, or other suitable material. The valve seat 46 and the layer of material 4I may be anchored in place within the cavity of the valve head 8l in any suitable manner, for in- .'stance, the top edge portion of the circumferen- A tial wall of said cavity may be turned inwardly slightly so as to overlap said elements and in this manner clamp them in place. ktended upwardly from the valve head 85 is a steam 42 which passes through centrally located apertln'es in the valve sea 48 and layer of material 4|.V The portion of the upwardly extended stem which is located above the layer of material 4l is slightly reduced in diameter and this stem portion extends through an aperture formed through the bottom wall of an extension 48 forming a part of the valve. The upper end portion of the stem 42 is riveted over to securely fix the extension 4I to saidstem, the lower face of the bottom wall of said extension being in contact with a shoulder formed on the stem 42 where the `'reduced upper portion joins the larger lower portion thereof. 'I'he extension 48 is located in the,- space 28 as shown clearly in Figures l and 11, and said extension is provided Awith a cavity 44: in its upper portion.V Also the extension 48 is provided with a plurality of in-v clined oxygen passageways 45 which lead from the cavity 44 to the circumferential face of the extension at points immediately above the lower edge( of said extension.l

Extended upwardly from the tail piece of the torch is an externally screwthreaded portion 46,

this portion of the tail piece being provided with a screwthreaded cavity 41 extended downwardly from the top face thereof. Mounted on the por-Y tion 46 of the tail piece B is a valve operating element 48 which comprises a member having a knurled circumferential face. 'Ihe element 48 is provided with a centrally located, screwthreaded opening 49 formed therein which receives the portion 46 of the tail piece B, the external screwthreads on the portion 46 being engaged by the screwthreads within the opening 49. Extended downwardly fromthe top wall of the opening 49 within the valve operating element 48 is a stem 68, the lower end of which contacts with the riveted over upper end of the stem 42 of the valve head. The stem 58 passes through an opening 5I at the lower end of the portion 46 of the tail piece, and also said stem passes through an opening formed through a packing nut 52 in the cavity 41 which causes packing material located in the lower portion of said cavity to seal the aperture 5i and prevent escape of oxygen therethrough. 'Ihe valve operating element 48 is provided with a slot 58 in which a semi-circular plate 54 is located. This plate is secured in place by a suitable fastening device 65 and engages the bottom face of the lowermost external screwthread of the portion 46 of the tail piece 28 as to prevent accidental removal of the valve operating element when same is rotated.

In the use of the torch the valve operating element 48 may be rotated to cause same to move downwardly on the screwthreaded exterior face of the portion 46 of the tail piece. This will result in the stem 58 transmitting like movement to the valve V whereby the valve head 85 will be moved away from the valve seat 9| and theV extension 45 is moved across and away from the ypassageway 28 so as to cause said passageway 28 to communicate with the space 29. When the valve V has moved downwardly a sumcient distance the lower ends ot the passageways 46 will be exposed below the lower edge of the valve seat 3| whereupon oxygen will flow from the'passageway 82 and space 88 through the passageways 45 and cavity 44 into the space 29, and from said space 29 through the passageway 28 to the tube I4.

The burning of the valve seats 48 in torches of this type is a source of much annoyance and in our torch we provide a number of safeguards. First, we provide the check valve I8 which reduces to a minimum any likelihood of back firing in the passageway 28. Second, we provide the valve V having the extension 43 which provides what may be termed a flame baille, in that it extends across the passageway 28. Also this extension is provided with the small passageways 45 through which llame would have to pass to reach the combustible valve seat. And third, we provide the combustible valve seat with a fire resistant covering which prevents the flame from reaching the combustible valve seat. It will be seen, therefore, that the valve seat 48 is very well protected from ame resulting from back-ilring of the torch, hence the likelihood that the valve seat will be burned is rendered quite remote.

Formed in the tail piece B of the torch A is a pair of passageways 56 and 51 (Figures 2 and 3), each of these passageways being open at the rear end of the tail piece where they are screwthreaded to receive hose couplings 58. 'Ihe passageway 56 is an oxygen passageway and the passageway 5l is an acetylene passageway. 'I'he passageway 56, through the instrumentality of passageways 59, 66, and 6| is placed in communication with the oxygen tube already referred to, while the pas- 81 is of slightly greater diameter than the rear sageway 51, through the instrumentality of passageways 82, 63 and 64 is placed in communication with the acetylene tube 2 (Figure 3). 65 designates a suitable valve by means of which passage of oxygen to the tube I may be controlled and 86 designates a similar valve which serves to control passage of acetylene to the tube 2.

'Ihe tubes I and 2, as already stated, are connected to the mixing chamber M, the tube I being an oxygen tube and the tube 2 being an acetylene tube. The mixing chamber M includes a member 61 which is provided with an annular space 6l, said member 61 also including a forwardly extended sleeve portion 69. Arranged in telescoping relation with the sleeve portion 69 of the member 61 is a tubular element 18, the forward end portion of which is screwed into the cavity 3 of the head C of the torch. The tubular element 18 is provided with an annular shoulder 1I which is engaged by a shoulder within a coupling element 12, and said coupling element is provided with internal screwthreads which engage external screwthreads on the sleeve portion of the member 61 whereby said tubular element 18 and said member 61 are connected together. The member 61 of the mixing chamber is provided with an annular inclined face 13 with which an annular inclined face of an inner member 14 contacts, said inner member being provided with an extension I having a screwthreaded end portion which is screwed into a screwthreaded cavity 16 in the member 61. At its forward face the inner member 14 is provided with an annular depression 11 provided with inclined walls, and 'I8 designates acetylene passageways which lead from the space 68 within the member 61 to the base of the annular depression 11 in the inner member 14. The inner member 14 is of such diameter at its forward end that it 'fits closely within the interior of the sleeve portion 69 of the member 61, and said inner member is provided with an oxygen passageway 19 formed centrally therethrough,

88 designates a member which constitutes a part of the inner structure of the mixing chamber M. 'I'his member is provided with external screwthreads 8| which engage internal screwthreads located at the rearmost end of the tubular element 18 whereby said member 88 and the tubular element 18 are secured together. At its rearmost face the member 88 is provided with an annular extension 82 which is seated in the annular depression 11 formed in the forward face of the inner member 14, the rectangular corners of the annular extension contacting closely with the inclined walls of the annular depression. The member 88 is provided with a plurality of acetylene passageways 83 which lead from the rearmost face of the annular extension 82 to a shoulder 84 located forwardly of said annular extension, .and said member 88 also includes a tubular portion 84 which extends forwardly of the torch. The tubular portion 84 of the member 88 is located within an elongated space 85 within the tubular element 10, the circumferential face of said tubular portion 84 being spaced from the wall of the space 85 to provide an annular acetylene space at the rear end of which the forward ends of the gas passageways 83 are located.

The rearward portion of the member `88 is provided with an elongated opening 86 formed therethrough and extended through said opening is the rear portion of a core 81, this rear core portion having an oxygen passageway 88 formed therethrough. The forward portion of the core portion thereof and is provided with a shoulder 89 which contacts with a shoulder located with- Vin the member 88. 'I'he forward portion of the core 81 is of such diameter that an annular space 98 is provided between the outer face of said core portion and the wall of the space within which it is located. 'I'he core 81 is also provided with a 'plurality of oxygen passageways 9| which place the annular space 98 in communication with the oxygen passageway 88 formed in the rear portion of the core. 'I'he core 81 is rigidly fixed to the member 88 'preferably by having the rear end portion thereof riveted over so as to engage said member 88 as suggested at 9| in Figures 1 and l0, and at its opposite end said core is supported by having its forward end portion 92 seated in an opening 93 in the tubular element 18. In order to provide space for the passage of mixed gas between the outer face of the forward end of the core and the wall of the space 93, we provide said forward end ofthe core with longitudinally extended and circumferentially spaced ribs 94. Thus spaces are provided between the ribs and between the core and the wall of the space 93 through which mixed gas may pass. 'I'he space 93 is placed in communication with the cavity 3 in the head C by a passageway 94.

The forward portion of the core 81 is provided with annular depressions 95 on its circumferential face and the outer face of the tubular portion 84 of the member 88 is provided with like depressions 96. Each of these depressions is provided with a bottom wall which inclines inwardly toward the center of the element in which it is formed from front to back, and a shoulder is provided at the rear end of said inclined bottom wall. Thus the core 81 and tubular portion 84 are provided with annular shoulders which have been found in practice to eliminate to a great extent backfiring of the torch. Instead of providing shoulders which are arranged at a substantial right angle to the axes of the core 81 and tubular portion 84 we may provide spiral shoulders which would serve. also to give the gas passing through the mixing chamber a whirling motion.

The tube I is arranged in communication Awith the passageway 19 in the inner member 15 by a passageway 91 and the tube 2 communicates with the space 88 therein. The oxygen passes through the passageways 91, 19, 88, 9| and annular space 98 to the forward end of the tubular portion 84 of the member 88, while the acetylene passes from the space 88 through the passageways 18, 83 and the annular space 85 to the forward end of said tubular portion. The gases referred to are then commingled and pass through the cavity 3, passageway 98 to the annular space 9 and from said annular space through the passageways I2 to the tip of the torch. During such passage of the gases from the tubes I and 2 oxygen from the tube I4 passes through the passageways I6, I8, and Il to the central passageway of the tip in the well known manner.

By referring now to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings it will be noted that the oxygen passageways 32 and 5B are placed in communication with each other by a communicating passageway 99, and it will be noted also that the wall of the passageway 32 is provided with an opening |88, said passageway 99 and opening |88 being alined with each other longitudinally. The passageway 99 is screwthreaded so as to reoxygen and acetylene from the containers to the torch, and at other times it is desirable to employ three hoses for this purpose. When three hoses are to be used in the operation of the torch the hoses.- are attached to the hose couplings associated with the eways I2, 56, and 51 in the usual manner and oxygen and y acetylene passes from the hoses through said passageways, the plugs IOI and |02 being in place as shown in Figure 2 so that each passageway is distinct from the other. When, however, it is desired to employ two hoses, only, the plug |02 is removed and a screwdriver or other suitable element is passed through the opening and the plug IOI is removed from the communicating passageway 90. 'I'he plug |02 .is then replaced in the opening III and the rearmost end of the gas passageway 02 is sealed by means of a closure element |03 provided with a curved face which engages an annular inclined face 33' on the hose coupling 30 associated with the passageway 32, said closure element being secured in place by a nut |04 which is screwed on the screwthreaded outer end of the hose coupling. With this arrangement in operation oxygen passes into the passageway 58 from the hose associated therewith and some of said oxygen will continue through the tube I. The remainder` of the oxygen referred to, however, will pass through the communicating gas passageway '99 into the passageway 02 and will eventually pass through the tube Il. therefore, that either two or three hoses may be vused with our improved torch by making only 'simple adjustments, thus eliminating the need for the production of two types of torches as heretofore.

In Figure 6 we illustrate a pivoted handlefor operating the valve V, this arrangement involving the use of a collar |05 which surrounds the screwthreaded portion 40 of the tail piece B and is seated upon the shoulder I 0l. .The collar is xed in place on the tail piece by a nut |06 which is screwed on the portion 40, and a lever |01 is pivoted at |00 to said collar. 'Ihe lever |01 contacts with the valve stem 00 and said stem may be moved downwardly to unseat the valve by depressing the forward end oi' the lever |01.

In Figure 'I we. employ a gasket I00`between the rear face of the member 00' and the forward face of the inner member 1l", said gasket including a body of yieldable material IIO covered by a shell I'II of soft metal. The gasket is provided with apertures Il! which register with the passageways 10' in the inner member 1I and the passageways 00 in the member 00,

Y and said gasket is provided with a central opening through which an extension II! on the member 80 extends.

We claim: 1. A gas torch having a mixing chamber including an outer shell, a member having a sleeve portion with which said outer shell telescopes, means for connecting said outer shell and said member together, a tubular element located within the mixing chamber and having a reduced portion at one end thereof forming an annulai-` gas chamber, the other end of said tubular element Itisseen,'

having passages iormed therein communicating with said annular chamber, a core disposed within said tubular element, said' core havinga gas passageway formed through a portion thereof and having another portion spaced from an inner an .annular extension which is seated in said de pression, said ported element having ports communicating with the lpassages in said tubular element and another port communicating with the passage in said core, and means for conducting gases to the ported element.

2. A gas torch having a mixing chamber including an outer shell, a member having a sleeve portion with which said outer shell telescopes, means for connecting said outer shell and said member together, a tubular element located within the mixing chamber and having a reduced portion at one end thereof forming an annular gas chamber, the other end of said tubularelement having passages formed therein communishell telescopes, said element being provided withan annular depression provided with inclined walls, said tubular element being provided with an annular extension which is seated in said depression, an extension at an end of said core seated in an opening in said outer shell, said ported element having ports communicating with the passages in said tubular element and another port communicating with the passage in said core, and means for conducting gases. to the ported element.

3. A gas torch having a mixing chamber including an outer shell, a member having a sleeve portion with which said outer shell telescopes, means for connecting said outer shell and said member together, a tubular element located within the mixing chamber and having a reduced portion at one end thereof forming an annular gas having passages formed therein communicating with said annular chamber, a core disposed within said tubular element, said core having a gas passageway formed through a portion thereof and having another portion spaced from an inner face of said tubular element to provide an annular gas space which is arranged in communication with said gas passageway by gas ports extended through said core, a ported element associated with said member with which the outer shell telescopes, said element being provided with an annular depression provided with inclined walls, said tubular element being provided with an annular extension which is seated in said depression, an extension at an end of said-core seated in an opening in said outer shell, said extension on the core being located adjacent to one end of the mixing chamber and the annular extension on the tubular element being located chamber, the other end of said tubular element at the opposite end of said mixing chamber, said ported element having ports communicating with the passages in said tubular element and another port communicating with the passage in said core, and means for conducting gases to the ported element.

4. A gas torch having a mixing chamber including an outer shell, a member having a sleeve portion with which said outer shell telescopes, means for connecting said outer shell and said member together, a tubular element located within the mixing chamber and having a reduced portion at one end thereof forming an annular gas chamber, the other end of said tubular element having passages formed therein communicating with said annular chamber, a core disposed Within said tubular element, said core having a gas passageway formed through a portion thereof and having another portion spaced from an inner face of said tubular element to provide an annular gas space which is arranged in communication with said gas passageway by gas ports extended through said core, a ported element associated with said member with which the outer shell telescopes, said element being provided with an annular depression provided with inclined Walls, said tubular element being provided with an annular extension which is seated in said depression, the joint between said ported element and the member with which it is associated being produced by inclined cooperating faces, said ported element having ports communicating with the passages in said tubular element and another port communicating with the passage in said core, and means for conducting gases to the ported element.

5. A gas torch having a mixing chamber comprising an outer tubular element, an inner tubular element located within'said outer tubular element and spaced with respect thereto so as to provide an annular gas space between the walls of said tubular elements, a core within said inner tubular element, said core being of such diameter relative to the inner diameter of the inner tubular element as to provide an annular gas space between the circumferential face of the core and the inner face of the inner tubular element, the wall of one of said annular gas spaces being provided with one or more circumferential depressions, and independent gas conducting means for delivering gas to be mixed to the respective annular gas spaces.

6. A gas torch having a mixing chamber cornprising an outer tubular element, an inner tubular element located Within said outer tubular element and spaced with respect thereto so as to provide an annular gas space between the walls of said tubular elements, a core Within said inner tubular element, said core being of such diameter relative to the inner diameter of the inner tubular element as to provide an annular gas space between the circumferential face of the core and the inner face of the inner tubular element, a wall of each of said annular gas spaces being provided withpne or more circumferential depressions having inclined inner Walls and independent gas conducting means for delivering gas to be mixed to the respective annular gas spaces.

ARTHUR J. FAUSEK. IRWING F. FAUSEK. 

